Container having at least one movable panel

ABSTRACT

A container (10) for consumer goods comprising a box portion (40) defining at least a first compartment for containing consumer good sand a first lid (30) connected to the box portion (40) by a first lid hinge line (32) extending across a first side wall of the container. The container further comprises a first panel (20) connected to the box portion (40) by a first panel hinge line (22) and configured to pivot relative to the box portion (40) of the container (10).

The present invention relates to a container for consumer goods. Thecontainer of the present invention finds particular application as acontainer for aerosol-generating articles, such as cigarettes.

It is known to package smoking articles or aerosol-generating articlesand other consumer goods in containers formed from foldedcellulose-fiber based laminar blanks. Aerosol-generating articles, suchas for example cigarettes, are commonly sold in hinge-lid packs having abox for housing the aerosol-generating articles and a lid connected tothe box about a hinge line extending across the back wall of thecontainer. In use, the lid is pivoted about the hinge line to open thepack and so gain access to the aerosol-generating articles held in thebox.

One type of aerosol-generating articles are cigarettes or cigars. Thesetypically comprise a rod of tobacco cut filler surrounded by a paperwrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship withthe wrapped tobacco rod, with the filter attached to the tobacco rod bytipping paper.

Other types of aerosol-generating articles include those in which anaerosol forming substrate, such as tobacco, is heated rather thancombusted. For example, electrically operated smoking systems typicallyinclude an aerosol-generating device having a housing for receiving anaerosol-generating article or a smoking article. A charger unit isusually provided either integrally with a primary device for receivingthe aerosol-generating device or additionally to a primary device forreceiving the aerosol-generating device. The charger unit is used toprovide power to the aerosol-generating device, for example by charginga battery in the device.

Users of such systems can therefore be required to carry not only a packof aerosol-generating articles, but also a separate aerosol-generatingdevice and, in some cases, an additional charger unit. This can makesuch aerosol-generating systems more cumbersome and less convenient fora consumer to transport and use.

It would therefore be desirable to improve the way in which a user cancarry and handle their consumer goods, particularly where the consumergoods are aerosol-generating articles that require the use of one ormore additional devices. It would also be desirable to provide such asolution, whilst still ensuring that the container for consumer goodscan easily be manufactured without requiring major modifications toexisting equipment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda container for consumer goods comprising: a first major wall, a secondmajor wall, first and second opposed minor side walls, a top wall and abottom wall; a box portion defining at least a first compartment forcontaining consumer goods and a first opening for accessing consumergoods in the first compartment; and a first lid connected to the boxportion by a first lid hinge line extending across the first side wallof the container, the first lid being movable relative to the boxportion between a closed position in which the first lid covers thefirst opening and an open position in which the first opening isuncovered. The container further comprises a first panel connected tothe box portion by a first panel hinge line and configured to pivotbetween a first position in which the first panel overlies at least aportion of the first major wall of the container, and a second positionin which the first panel extends substantially away from the box portionof the container.

By arranging for the container of the first aspect of the invention tohave a first hinged panel the container can be attached to a separateexternal or distinct object, such as a charger unit for theaerosol-generating device, and thereby allow a consumer to carry theirconsumer goods and an accompanying item, such as a charger unit oraerosol-generating device, as a single ensemble. In particular, thefirst hinged panel can slide into a slot or sleeve in the separateexternal object to attach the container to said object. By being hinged,the first hinged panel can overlie the first major wall of the containerwhen the container is not attached to the external object. This allowsthe container to have a more conventional appearance and dimensions.

Furthermore, arranging for the first lid to have a first lid hinge lineextending across a side wall of the container, allows the first lid ofthe container to be movable between the open and closed positions, evenwhen the container is attached to an external object by means of thefirst hinged panel. This means that a consumer can still access consumergoods contained within the container when the container is attached tothe external object.

In addition, arranging for a major wall of the container to be the wallof the container that lies against the external object, when thecontainer is attached to said external object, results in a largersurface area of the container being in contact with the external object.This can result in a more secure attachment. This can also result in amore compact arrangement for the single ensemble. Furthermore, this canalso result in the second major wall being the one that generally facesthe consumer when they look at the single ensemble. This second majorwall can provide a larger continuous surface area for communication withthe consumer.

Advantageously, the construction of containers according to the firstaspect of the invention means that they can be easy to manufacture anddo not require any extensive modification to existing manufacturingapparatus.

Preferably, the first major wall of the container is the front wall ofthe container, and the second major wall is the back wall of thecontainer.

As used herein, the terms “front”, “back”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”,“bottom” and “side”, refer to the relative positions of portions ofcontainers according to the invention and components thereof when thecontainer is in an upright position and the first access opening of thecontainer is at the top of the container. When describing containersaccording to the present invention, these terms are used irrespective ofthe orientation of the container being described. The first side wall ofthe container is the wall comprising the first hinge line.

The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction from bottom to top or viceversa. The term “transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction.

The term ‘major’ is used to refer to the walls of the container, whichhave a greater surface area than that of any of the other walls of thecontainer. The minor walls are the walls of the container are thosehaving a surface area less than that of the major walls of thecontainer. Where the container has the same height throughout its crosssection, the major walls are those having a greater width than that ofany of the other walls of the container.

The container of the first aspect of the present invention is preferablysubstantially in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.

The term “inner surface” is used throughout the specification to referto the surface of a component of the assembled container that is facingtowards the interior of the container, for example towards the consumergoods, when the container is in the closed position. The term “outersurface” is used throughout the specification to refer to the surface ofa component of the container that is facing towards the exterior of thecontainer. For example, the first major wall of the package has an innersurface that is facing the inside of the package and the consumer goods,and an outer surface facing away from the consumer goods. It should benoted that the inside or outside surface is not necessarily equivalentto a certain side of a blank used in assembly of the container.Depending on how the blank is folded around the consumer goods, areasthat are on the same side of the blank can either face towards theinside or the towards the outside of the container.

The term “hinge line” refers to a line about which a lid may be pivotedin order to permit access to goods disposed within the container. Ahinge line may be, for example, a fold line or a score line in a panelforming a wall of the container.

The term “depending” is used herein to describe a physical connectionbetween two elements of a container in accordance with the invention. Inmore detail, the term “depending” is used to indicate that there is amaterial continuity between two elements, such as two walls or panels ofa container or blank. This encompasses both cases wherein a wall orpanel depends directly from an adjacent wall or panel as well as caseswherein an intermediate wall or panel effectively connects two walls orpanels.

By way of example, a side wall or panel may depend directly from anadjacent major wall or panel. In such case, the wall or panel typicallydepends along a fold line from the adjacent wall. As an alternative,especially in containers having curved or bevelled edges, a side wall orpanel may depend indirectly from a major wall, such as the first majorwall or panel. In such case a curved or bevelled edge wall or panelconnects the side wall or panel and the major wall or panel. In the caseof a bevelled edge, both side wall or panel and major wall or panel maydepend from the connecting bevelled edge wall or panel along respectivefold lines. This also applies to optional components of containers inaccordance with the invention, for example to a reinforcing memberprovided in the form of an inner frame.

The term “lines of weakness” is used herein to describe a portion of asurface of the package (or the blank from which the package is formed)wherein the structural strength of the material, from which the package(or blank) is formed has been weakened by any suitable technique, forexample with respect to bending, folding or tearing along the line ofweakness. For example, a line of weakness may be formed as a scoringline, a creasing line, an ablation line, or a perforation line. Lines ofweakness can be created by removal of material, by displacement ofmaterial, by compression of material, by locally reducing the forcesthat hold the material together, such as by breaking fibres in a fibrousmaterial, as well as by combinations of all the above. A line ofweakness may be straight, curved, segmented or continuous or acombination thereof. In many instances, a line of weakness is used toassist in positioning a fold line in a blank. A line of weakness canalso be used to strengthen the material in a direction perpendicular tothe line of weakness, for example by compression. Further, a line ofweakness can be used for decorative purpose.

The term “scoring line” is used to describe a line formed by partiallycutting into the material of the blank. A scoring line may be formed byremoving material from the blank (in which case the scoring line forms agroove or trough in the blank). As an alternative, a scoring line may beformed without removing any material from the blank, typically involvinga partial sideways displacement and compression of material, caused by aknife with a non-zero thickness penetrating the material. The depth ofthe scoring line will be less than the thickness of the blank.

The term “creasing line” is used to describe a line formed by displacinga portion of the material vertical to the plane of the blank, forming agroove or trough in the blank. The displacement may involve compressionand typically involves the use of a compression tool, such as a roller.Alternatively, or in addition, the material in the creasing line may bedisplaced so as to at least partially protrude from the opposite side ofthe blank. Generally, no material is removed when a creasing line isformed.

The term “ablation line” is used to describe a line formed by removingmaterial from a surface of the blank to a predetermined depth by way ofablation (for example, by way of a laser beam or a blade).

The term “perforated line” is used to describe a line or sequence ofdiscrete holes or slots in the blank. The holes may be formed by pushingan object through the blank. This may result in material being removedfrom the blank, for example by punching. Alternatively, the holes couldbe created without removing material, and instead simply using theobject to push the material outwardly from the centre of the hole. Asanother alternative, the holes may be formed by way of a laser beam.

The term “fold line” is used to describe any line of a blank about whichthe blank is folded. The fold line may be defined by a line of weaknessto assist with the folding action. Alternatively, a fold can be formedwithout the presence of a weakening line, depending for example on thepliability of the blank material and other material characteristics.

Preferably, the container further comprises a slit or slot in the firstmajor wall of the container for holding the first hinged panel in thefirst position. This allows the first hinged panel to be held flushagainst the first major wall of the container when the first hingedpanel is in the first position. Preferably the slit is provided on theopposite side of the first major wall of the container to the side thatis closest to the first panel hinge line. Preferably, the slit extendsat an angle relative to the first panel hinge line. Preferably, the slitis configured to engage with a corner portion of the first hinged panel.

The first panel may comprise one or more free edges, more preferably atleast two free edges, even more preferably at least three free edges. Insome preferred embodiments the first panel consists of four edges, threeof which are free edges with the other edge of the first panel beingdisposed at the first panel hinge line.

Preferably, first panel is free from a tab. That is, preferably thecontainer does not comprise any panels or tabs that depend from thefirst panel.

Preferably, the first panel hinge line is disposed between the boxportion first major wall and one of the first minor side wall and thesecond minor side wall. For example, if the container has a square edgeconnecting the first major wall to the first minor side wall or thesecond minor side wall, the first panel hinge line may extend along saidsquare edge. As another example, if the container has a bevelled edgeconnecting the first major wall to the first minor side wall or thesecond minor side wall, the first panel hinge line may extend along oneof the edges forming said bevelled edge. This can enable the firsthinged panel to have substantially same dimensions as the box portionfirst major wall, and thereby allow the container to have a moreconventional appearance when the first hinged panel is in the firstposition. Furthermore, this can also enable the first hinged panel tolie flush against first major wall when the first hinged panel is in thefirst position. In some particularly preferred embodiments the firstpanel hinge line is disposed proximate to the same minor side wall onwhich the first lid hinge line is provided. That is, preferably thefirst panel hinge line is disposed between the box portion first majorwall and the first minor side wall.

In some preferred embodiments, the first panel hinge line may beprovided on the first major wall of the container. That is, the firstpanel hinge line may be spaced from all edges of the first major wall ofthe container. Such embodiments may allow for improved attachmentbetween the container and an external object, and reduce movement of thebox portion of the container relative to the external object when thecontainer is attached to the external object. This is because, in suchembodiments, when the container is attached to the external object, theportions of the first major wall of the container that are disposedeither side of the first hinge line can act to prevent the box portionof the container from being pivoted away from the external object, aboutthe first hinge line. In such embodiments, the consumer may therefore berequired to first slide the first panel at least partially out of theslot in the external object, before the container could be detached fromthe external object.

The first panel hinge line preferably extends substantially parallel tothe longitudinal edge that connects the first major wall with the firstminor side wall, the longitudinal edge that connects the first majorwall with the second minor side wall, or both.

Preferably, the first hinged panel of the container is provided with anattachment mechanism for attaching the first hinged panel of thecontainer to an external object. Preferably, the attachment mechanismcomprises a microsuction layer on a first surface of the first hingedpanel. Preferably, the first surface of the first hinged panel is thesurface of the first hinged panel that faces towards the first majorwall of the container when the first hinged panel is in the firstposition.

The term “microsuction layer” is used herein to refer to a layer formedof a flexible material having a plurality of micro cavities on theexternal surface of the material. The walls of the micro cavities aredeformable, such that, when the external surface of the material ispressed against a contact surface, a sealed environment of reducedpressure is formed between the walls of the cavities and the contactsurface. This provides a suction force between the walls of the cavitiesand the contact surface.

The micro cavities may have a diameter of from 5 microns to 300 microns.The material may be formed of an expanded resin having a plurality ofinternal air bubbles. The layer may have a thickness of from 30 micronsto 500 microns.

Alternative attachment mechanisms on the first hinged panel may includeone or more of a low tack adhesive, flock material, embossing anddebossing.

The attachment mechanism on the first hinged panel can allow the firsthinged panel to slide into slot or sleeve on external object withoutsignificant interaction between the first hinged panel and the externalobject. However, once the container is pressed against the object, theattachment mechanism on the first hinged panel can engage with theexternal object and help to retain the container in a fixed positionrelative to said external object.

Preferably, the container comprises a mechanism for securing the firstlid to the box portion when the first lid is in the closed position.Preferably said mechanism is provided in the form of a cut-out in thebox portion and a flap in the first lid that engage with one another asthe first lid is moved into the closed position. This can advantageouslyreduce the likelihood of the first lid accidentally opening; forexample, when the container is being carried by the user, and inparticular, when the container is placed in an upside-down orientation.

Preferably, the first lid comprises a first lid first major wall, afirst lid second major wall, first lid first and second opposed minorside walls, and a first lid top wall, wherein the first lid top wallforms the top wall of the container.

Preferably, the first major wall of the container is provided with anattachment mechanism for attaching the first major wall of the containerto an external object. Preferably said attachment mechanism is providedon the outer surface of the first major wall of the container. Theattachment mechanism may comprise one or more of a low tack adhesive,flock material, embossing and debossing.

In some preferred embodiments, the attachment mechanism comprises amicrosuction layer on the outer surface of the first major wall of thecontainer.

The attachment mechanism on the first major wall of the container canallow the first hinged panel to slide into a slot or sleeve on theexternal object without significant interaction between the containerand the external object. However, once the container is pressed againstthe object, the attachment mechanism on the first major wall of thecontainer can engage with the external object and help to retain thecontainer in a fixed position relative to said external object.

Preferably, the box portion of the container further defines a secondcompartment for containing consumer goods and a second opening foraccessing consumer goods in the second compartment. In such embodiments,preferably the container further comprises: a second lid connected tothe box portion by a second lid hinge line extending across the secondside wall of the container, the second lid being movable relative to thebox portion between a closed position in which the second lid covers thesecond opening and an open position in which the second opening isuncovered. The second compartment may be used to contain a further setof consumer goods, in addition to any contained in the firstcompartment. This can be advantageous when freshness is important, sincea consumer will not need to open the second lid and access the goods inthe second compartment, until they have finished with the goods of thefirst compartment. Alternatively, the second compartment may be used tohouse the remainders of the goods in the first compartment, after theyhave been used. As a further alternative, the second compartment may beused to house a portion of the consumer goods stored in the firstcompartment. For example, the consumer goods may be elongated consumergoods, such as aerosol generating articles, with a first end residing inthe first compartment and a second end residing in the secondcompartment. The consumer can therefore have the choice of whether toremove said elongated consumer goods by accessing the first end throughthe first lid, or the second end through the second lid.

The second compartment may be completely distinct from the firstcompartment. For example, an internal wall may be provided in thecontainer to divide the second compartment from the first compartment.In such embodiments, one side of the internal wall can form the basesurface of the first compartment, and the other side of the internalwall can form the base surface of the second compartment. Alternatively,the first compartment may be integral with the second compartment. Insuch cases, a single set of consumer goods may reside in bothcompartments. Alternatively, two bundles of consumer goods may reside inthe container, with a first bundle being accessible via the first lidand first opening, and the second bundle being accessible via the secondlid and second opening.

Preferably, the container further comprises a second panel connected tothe box portion by a second panel hinge line and configured to pivotbetween a first position in which the second panel overlies at least aportion of the second major wall of the container, and a second positionin which the second panel extends substantially away from the boxportion of the container. In such embodiments, a consumer will have twocompartments from which to store or choose their consumer goods. Thisenables a consumer to orientate the container however they please whenthey are attaching the container to an external object.

The second panel may comprise one or more free edges, more preferably atleast two free edges, even more preferably at least three free edges. Insome preferred embodiments the second panel consists of four edges,three of which are free edges with the other edge of the second panelbeing disposed at the first panel hinge line.

Preferably, first panel is free from a tab. That is, preferably thecontainer does not comprise any panels or tabs that depend from thefirst panel.

Preferably, the second panel hinge line is disposed between the boxportion second major wall and one of the first minor side wall and thesecond minor side wall. For example, if the container has a square edgeconnecting the second major wall to the first minor side wall or thesecond minor side wall, the second panel hinge line may extend alongsaid square edge. As another example, if the container has a bevellededge connecting the second major wall to the first minor side wall orthe second minor side wall, the second panel hinge line may extend alongone of the edges forming said bevelled edge. This can enable the secondhinged panel to have substantially same dimensions as the box portionsecond major wall, and thereby allow the container to have a moreconventional appearance when the second hinged panel is in its firstposition. Furthermore, this can also enable second hinged panel to lieflush against second major wall when the second hinged panel is in itsfirst position. In some particularly preferred embodiments the secondpanel hinge line is disposed proximate to the same minor side wall onwhich the second lid hinge line is provided. That is, preferably thesecond panel hinge line is disposed between the box portion second majorwall and the second minor side wall.

Where the container comprises a second hinged panel, a slit ispreferably provided in the second major wall of the container forholding the second hinged panel in its first position. This can enablethe second hinged panel to be held flush against the second major wallof the container when the second hinged panel is in its first position.Preferably said slit is provided on the opposite side of the secondmajor wall of the container to the side that is closest to the secondpanel hinge line. Preferably, said slit extends at an angle relative tothe second panel hinge line. Preferably, said slit is configured toengage with a corner portion of the second hinged panel.

Preferably, the second lid comprises a second lid first major wall, asecond lid second major wall, second lid first and second opposed minorside walls, and a second lid bottom wall, wherein the second lid bottomwall forms the bottom wall of the container.

Preferably, the container further comprises a mechanism for securing thesecond lid to the box portion when the second lid is in the closedposition. Preferably said mechanism is provided in the form of a cut-outin the box portion and a flap in the second lid that engage with oneanother as the second lid is moved into its closed position. This canadvantageously reduce the likelihood of the second lid accidentallyopening; for example, particularly where the second lid bottom wallforms the bottom of the container.

The container of the present invention may contain any suitable consumergoods. Preferably, the container of the present invention contains aplurality of aerosol-generating articles. The term “aerosol-generatingarticle” is used herein to mean an article comprising at least onesubstrate that forms an aerosol when heated. The aerosol-generatingarticle may be a combustible type of aerosol-generating article, such asa filter cigarette, cigars, cigarillos, where a tobacco substrate iscombusted. However, the container of the present invention can beparticularly suited for containing aerosol-generating articles for usein an electrically operated smoking system. In this case, theaerosol-generating article may comprise a tobacco or othernicotine-containing substrate that generates an aerosol comprisingnicotine when the substrate is heated. Such aerosol-generating articlestypically require the use of a separate device, and therefore thecontainer of the present invention can be advantageously attached tosuch a device to allow the container and said device to be carried as asingle ensemble.

Where the container comprises first and second compartments and housesaerosol-generating articles, the aerosol-generating articles may behoused in both the first and second compartments. Alternatively, theaerosol-generating articles may be housed in only one of thecompartments. In this case, the other compartment may receive waste,such as ash or butts, or other consumer goods, for example matches,lighters, extinguishing means, breath-fresheners or electronics.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provide asystem comprising a device and the container of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein device comprises a housing and a slit in the housing forreceiving the first panel of the container. Preferably, the device isfor use in an electrically operated smoking system, more preferably thedevice is used to provide a power source for supplying power to aheater. It will be appreciated that any of the features described abovein reference to the first aspect of the invention may also be equallyapplicable to the second aspect of the invention.

The first panel is preferably adapted to be retained to an externalobject, more preferably, adapted to be retained to the device of thesecond aspect of the present invention.

The second panel is preferably adapted to be retained to an externalobject, more preferably, adapted to be retained to the device of thesecond aspect of the present invention.

For example, one or both of the first panel may be sized and shaped forcomplementary engagement with a corresponding slot or slit on theexternal object. Such an arrangement may allow for the container of thefirst aspect to be attached to and detached from the external object.

Attachment of the container of the present invention to an externalobject is preferably non-permanent. That is, the container of thepresent invention should preferably be capable of attachment to anexternal object and subsequent detachment from an external object.

Preferably, the container is formed from one or more folded laminarblanks. The one or more folded laminar blanks may be formed from anysuitable material or combination of materials, including, but notlimited to, cardboard, paperboard, plastic, metal, or combinationsthereof. Preferably, the blank is a laminar cardboard blank having aweight of between about 100 grams per square metre and about 350 gramsper square metre. In preferred embodiments, the blank has a thickness offrom about 200 to about 400 micrometres, more preferably from 250micrometres to 350 micrometres.

The container is generally a rectangular parallelepiped containercomprising two wider major walls spaced apart by two minor narrowerwalls. The container may comprise two longitudinal rounded or bevellededges on the first major wall, and/or two longitudinal rounded orbevelled edges on the second major wall. These may optionally be incombination with one or more rounded or bevelled transverse edges.

The exterior surfaces of containers according to the invention may beprinted, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufactureror brand logos, trade marks, slogans and other consumer information andindicia.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, withreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a container according to the presentinvention, as viewed from the back of the container;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a container according to a firstembodiment the present invention, as viewed from the front of thecontainer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, shown with thefirst and second hinged panels in their respective first positions, asviewed from the back of the container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container according to the presentinvention, disposed alongside a device for use in an electricallyoperated smoking system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIGS. 1 to 3, whenattached to the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an overhead view of a blank for forming a container accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an overhead view of a blank for forming a container accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1A, a container 10 according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention comprises a first major wall 11, a second majorwall (not visible), a first minor side wall (not visible), a secondopposed minor side wall 13, a top wall 15 and a bottom wall (notvisible). The container has a box portion 40 that defines first andsecond compartments for containing consumer goods. A dotted line isincluded in FIG. 1A to show the divide point between the first andsecond compartments.

A first lid 30 is connected to the box portion 40 by a first lid hingeline 32 that extends across the first side wall of the container. Thefirst lid 30 is movable relative to the box portion 40 between a closedposition in which the first lid 30 covers the first opening and an openposition in which the first opening is uncovered. The first lid isdisposed in the closed position in FIG. 1A. The first lid defines thetop wall 15 of the container.

A first panel 20 is connected to the box portion 40 by a first panelhinge line 22 and is configured to pivot between a first position inwhich the first panel 20 overlies at least a portion of the first majorwall 11 of the container 10, and a second position in which the firstpanel 20 extends substantially away from the box portion 40 of thecontainer 10. The first panel 20 is disposed in the second position inFIG. 1A. A slot 42 is provided in the first major wall 11 of thecontainer. This will be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 2.

The container further comprises a second lid 60 that is connected to thebox portion 40 by a second lid hinge line 62 that extends across thesecond side wall 14 of the container 10. The second lid 60 is movablerelative to the box portion 40 between a closed position in which thesecond lid 60 covers a second opening in the box portion 40 and an openposition in which the second opening is uncovered. The second lid 60disposed in the closed position in FIG. 1A. The second lid defines thebottom wall of the container.

As also shown in FIG. 1A, the container further comprises a second panel50 that is connected to the box portion 40 by a second panel hinge line52.

As can be best appreciated from FIG. 1 B, which shows a perspective viewof the back of the container of FIG. 1A, the second panel 50 isconfigured to pivot between a first position in which the second panel50 overlies at least a portion of the second major wall 12 of thecontainer 10, and a second position in which the second panel 50 extendssubstantially away from the box portion 40 of the container 10. Thesecond hinged panel 50 is disposed in the second position in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2 shows the container of FIGS. 1A and 1 B, as viewed from the backof the container, with the first panel 20 and second panel 50 nowdisposed in their respective first positions. As can be seen from FIG.2, a corner portion of the second hinged panel 50 has been disposed inthe slot 44 on the second major wall 12 of the container to hold thesecond hinge panel 50 flush against the second major wall of thecontainer.

FIG. 3 shows the container of FIGS. 1B disposed adjacent to an externaldevice, which may be a charger unit for an aerosol generating article.The device 100 has a main body 150 and a lid 130 connected to the body150 by a device lid hinge line 132. The first major wall 111 of thedevice 100 is provided with a slot 142 that defines an access opening toan internal cavity in the device that is shaped and sized to accommodatethe first hinged panel 50 or the second hinged panel 20 of the container10.

As illustrated by FIG. 4, in use, a consumer can choose to insert thefirst hinged panel 20 of the container 10 through the slot 142 of thedevice to thereby attach the container 10 to the device 100. In thisway, the container 10 and the device 100 can be carried as a singleensemble. Although not visible from the drawings, to further fix thecontainer is place relative to the device 100, a microsuction layer maybe provided on the outer surface of the first panel 20 or the secondpanel 50.

FIG. 5 shows an overhead view of a blank 200 for forming a containeraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. The containerof the second embodiment of the invention is similar to that of thefirst embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. However, the container of the secondembodiment only has one lid connected to its box portion and only hasone hinged panel for attaching the container to an external object.

The blank 200 of FIG. 5 is shown in an unfolded condition. The blankcomprises a first portion 210 which comprises a plurality of panelsconnected by a plurality of fold lines. As will be appreciated by one ofskill in the art, the panels of the first portion 210 of the blank 200are arranged to be folded about the fold lines of the first portion 210of the blank to form a box portion and a first lid of the container.

The blank 200 further comprises a second portion, which comprises afirst panel 220, connected to the edge of a first side wall panel 214 ofthe first portion of the blank 200 by a first hinge line 222. When theblank 20 is folded to form the container of the second embodiment theinvention, the first panel 220 is configured to pivot about the firsthinge line 222 between a first position in which the first panel 220overlies at least a portion of the first major wall 211 of thecontainer, and a second position in which the first panel 220 extendssubstantially away from the box portion of the container.

FIG. 6 shows an overhead view of a blank 300 for forming a containeraccording to a third embodiment of the present invention. The blank 300comprises a first portion 310, which is the same as the first portion210 of the blank 200 of the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 5.

The blank 300 further comprises a second portion 315 which is configuredto form a first 320 and second 350 hinged panels on the assembledcontainer. In particular, the second portion 315 comprises a first panel320 connected to the edge of a first side wall panel 314 of the firstportion of the blank 300 by a first hinge line 322. A cut line 325divides the first panel 320 from a connecting major panel 327 that isconfigured to be held flush against a portion of the panel 311 formingthe front wall of the container. The connecting major panel 327 isconnected to a connecting minor side panel 353, which is in turnconnected to a second panel 350.

When the blank 300 is folded to form the container of the thirdembodiment the invention, the connecting minor side panel 353 lies flushagainst the panel 313 forming the second minor side wall of thecontainer. The second panel 350 is free to pivot about a second hingeline 352 between a first position in which the second panel 350 overliesat least a portion of the first major wall of the container, and asecond position in which the first panel 220 extends substantially awayfrom the box portion of the container.

1. A container for consumer goods comprising: a first major wall, asecond major wall, first and second opposed minor side walls, a top walland a bottom wall; a box portion defining at least a first compartmentfor containing consumer goods and a first opening for accessing consumergoods in the first compartment; and a first lid connected to the boxportion by a first lid hinge line extending across the first minor sidewall of the container, the first lid being movable relative to the boxportion between a closed position in which the first lid covers thefirst opening and an open position in which the first opening isuncovered; wherein the container further comprises a first panelconnected to the box portion by a first panel hinge line and configuredto pivot between a first position in which the first panel overlies atleast a portion of the first major wall of the container, and a secondposition in which the first panel extends substantially away from thebox portion of the container.
 2. A container according to claim 1,further comprising a slit in the first major wall of the container forholding the first hinged panel in the first position.
 3. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the first panel hinge line is disposedbetween the box portion first major wall and one of the first minor sidewall and the second minor side wall.
 4. A container according to claim1, wherein the first panel of the container is provided with anattachment mechanism for assisting with attaching the first panel of thecontainer to an external object.
 5. A container according to claim 4,wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a microsuction layer on afirst surface of the first panel.
 6. A container according to claim 1,further comprising a mechanism for securing the first lid to the boxportion when the first lid is in the closed position.
 7. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the first lid comprises a first lid firstmajor wall, a first lid second major wall, first lid first and secondopposed minor side walls, and a first lid top wall, wherein the firstlid top wall forms the top wall of the container.
 8. A containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the first major wall of the container isprovided with an attachment mechanism for attaching the first major wallof the container to another object.
 9. A container according to claim 1,wherein the box portion further defines a second compartment forcontaining consumer goods and a second opening for accessing consumergoods in the second compartment, and wherein the container furthercomprises: a second lid connected to the box portion by a second lidhinge line extending across the second side wall of the container, thesecond lid being movable relative to the box portion between a closedposition in which the second lid covers the second opening and an openposition in which the second opening is uncovered.
 10. A containeraccording to claim 1, further comprising a second panel connected to thebox portion by a second panel hinge line and configured to pivot betweena first position in which the second panel overlies at least a portionof the second major wall of the container, and a second position inwhich the second panel extends substantially away from the box portionof the container.
 11. A container according to claim 10, wherein thesecond panel hinge line extends along an edge separating the box portionsecond major wall from the first minor side wall or the second minorside wall.
 12. A container according to claims 10, wherein the secondlid comprises a second lid first major wall, a second lid second majorwall, second lid first and second opposed minor side walls, and a secondlid bottom wall, wherein the second lid bottom wall forms the bottomwall of the container.
 13. A container according to claim 10, furthercomprising a mechanism for securing the second lid to the box portionwhen the second lid is in the closed position.
 14. A container accordingto claim 1 wherein the consumer goods are aerosol-generating articles.15. A system comprising a device for use in an electrically heatedsmoking system and the container of claim 1, wherein device comprises ahousing and a slit in the housing for receiving the first panel of thecontainer.